[jaykim]

What is this called that is the shelf outside the kitchen window?

What is the beam (pointed in yellow arrow) structure under the shelf? In other words, how is the beam connected to the wall or studs? Is it very difficult to replace this beam? The beam is damaged by the termites. The beam is 3.5" wide and 7.5" high.

Thank you very much.

 

[Nealtw]

Termites like water and these things have been feeding water into the wall since it was built.

I would expect a lot more damage inside the wall and it should be opened up, removed

 

[ront02769]

Concur with nealtw.....but to answer your orig. question it is called a corbel.

 

[jaykim]

Thank you ront02769 for the new word. I learned a new one.

Nealtw, as usual, I thank you for your detailed diagram.

Last summer, I saw some termite dropping near the bottom of the stucco wall under the left-most beam, and I treated the inside the drywall from the kitchen with the Spectricide along the studs. After that I have not seen the droppings yet. I am going to inject the Boracare foam into the drywall near that area in the near future to prevent further damage. I am not sure if it is already past the point of doing termite prevention or not. In the past, HOA-contracted termite company treated several times, but I am sure it is not pretty inside the wall.

The right most beam in the photo with the arrow wiggles just a little bit if I try hard, so I think the wood is damaged a lot inside. The other 2 beams are pretty firm and do not wiggle at all as of now. The left-most beam is much damaged by the termites and I am putting wood epoxy.

Nealtw, is this not kind of work a pro should do because it involves the stucco and stud? Inside, the kitchen counter is about 4 x 4 tiles, and the wall a little above the counter top is also tiles. Will the kitchen tiles be damaged or remain intact if the studs and beams are replaced?

Thank you very much.

 

[Nealtw]

Thank you ront02769 for the new word. I learned a new one.

Nealtw, as usual, I thank you for your detailed diagram.

Last summer, I saw some termite dropping near the bottom of the stucco wall under the left-most beam, and I treated the inside the drywall from the kitchen with the Spectricide along the studs. After that I have not seen the droppings yet. I am going to inject the Boracare foam into the drywall near that area in the near future to prevent further damage. I am not sure if it is already past the point of doing termite prevention or not. In the past, HOA-contracted termite company treated several times, but I am sure it is not pretty inside the wall.

The right most beam in the photo with the arrow wiggles just a little bit if I try hard, so I think the wood is damaged a lot inside. The other 2 beams are pretty firm and do not wiggle at all as of now. The left-most beam is much damaged by the termites and I am putting wood epoxy.

Nealtw, is this not kind of work a pro should do because it involves the stucco and stud? Inside, the kitchen counter is about 4 x 4 tiles, and the wall a little above the counter top is also tiles. Will the kitchen tiles be damaged or remain intact if the studs and beams are replaced?

Thank you very much.

Going in from the outside most people would do their best not to damage the inside wall, but you never know what you find in there.

 

[jaykim]

Thank you very much Nealtw for the comments.

How do you determine when to open up the wall and to replace the damaged wood? Is there any sign that shows that you have to do? Is there any danger in waiting too long?

Thank you very much.

 

[Nealtw]

Thank you very much Nealtw for the comments.

How do you determine when to open up the wall and to replace the damaged wood? Is there any sign that shows that you have to do? Is there any danger in waiting too long?

Thank you very much.

Good question, for now I would remove the back shelf and caulk where it goes into the house with something that works with stucco.

I guess under the sink you could inspect what wall you have access to.


You would hate to rip it apart and find not much wrong. But if you ever redo the kitchen or change a window or something when you can just add it to the list.

 

[jaykim]

Thank you very much Nealtw for the comments.

I will keep your suggestion in mind so that when remodeling the kitchen or replacing the windows, I will go extra mile to check the inside.

I wonder why the architect designed house this way so that the outdoor shelf and the beam are used as the passage to the inside for the termites.

Could you recommend what kind of caulk I should use for this purpose, ie for stucco, wood, and u-shape metal frame under the beam?

Thank you very much.

 

[Nealtw]

Thank you very much Nealtw for the comments.

I will keep your suggestion in mind so that when remodeling the kitchen or replacing the windows, I will go extra mile to check the inside.

I wonder why the architect designed house this way so that the outdoor shelf and the beam are used as the passage to the inside for the termites.

Could you recommend what kind of caulk I should use for this purpose, ie for stucco, wood, and u-shape metal frame under the beam?

Thank you very much.

I am not sure but other that do know should be along.

 

[ront02769]

Any good urethane caulk.

 

[jaykim]

Thank you ront02769 very much for the information.


Thank you.